Broadcasters Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) have launched the world’s first terrestrial ATSC 3.0 broadcast network in South Korea for free UHD TV broadcasts. The network includes a total of 31 Rohde & Schwarz transmitter systems at 11 locations. In the capital Seoul, regular operation began at the end of May 2017; other regions will follow by the end of the year. Viewers will be able to enjoy UHD quality in time for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.

For phase one, which affected the capital Seoul, Rohde & Schwarz delivered its R&S THU9 liquid-cooled high-power 5 kW and 2 kW transmitters in customized 1+1 standby configurations to four SBS stations at the end of 2016. And in December 2016, the Rohde & Schwarz transmitter at the Kwanak station broadcast the world’s first ATSC 3.0 transmission. In phase two of the project, all three broadcasters will be expanding their networks to cover metropolitan areas and the Olympic region. Rohde & Schwarz will supply all three operators with high-power 5 kW and 2 kW transmitters in customized 1+1 and 2+1 standby configurations. Phase two consists of a total of 27 transmitter systems that will be put into operation by the end of 2017. South Korea’s transition to ATSC 3.0 with 90 percent coverage is scheduled to be completed by 2020.